Metal Removal
At Blodgett Dental Care, our metal removal protocol ensures that metal removal is done safely, with minimal biological and energetic disturbance, followed by restorations in biocompatible, metal-free materials so you can enjoy both oral health and peace of mind.
At Blodgett Dental Care, we believe that metal-based dental materials, including crowns, implants, fixed orthodontic retainers, and other metals permanently or semi-permanently attached or implanted in the mouth, can pose health risks by continuously releasing metal ions, particularly under conditions of corrosion, wear, or galvanic interaction. The FDA’s position papers and guidance documents on “Biological Responses to Metal Implants” acknowledge that metal/materials used in medical devices (including dental) may release metal ions into the body, potentially acting as haptens (small molecules that trigger an immune response), causing immune or hypersensitivity reactions.
To protect you, we employ advanced technologies in the removal of metal dental materials. We use Erbium lasers (both Er:Y AG and Er,Cr :YSGG) and piezoelectric surgical instruments. Numerous studies show that erbium lasers allow for non-invasive and non-abrasive removal or debonding of ceramic or zirconia crowns from metal or titanium abutments, with negligible damage to adjacent tissues, and without generating detached metal particles. Piezo instruments enable precise bone or implant removal with low mechanical vibration and heat, reducing the risk of micro-fractures and dispersal of metallic debris.
Scientific research confirms that implants, crowns, or fixed orthodontic metals (e.g., cobalt-chromium, titanium alloys) do release ions under physiological or acidic conditions. For example, a 2021 in vitro study found measurable release of aluminum, chromium, cobalt, titanium, and vanadium ions from implants, crowns, and abutments, with higher levels in acidic media.
Beyond the biochemical risks, there is an energetic or galvanic risk. Mixed metals in the oral cavity can lead to galvanic currents (tiny electric charges) between dissimilar metals, which some people report as a metallic taste, nerve sensitivity, or mucosal irritation. Any person who has ever had mercury amalgam fillings in their mouth and who bit down on a piece of aluminum foil or a fork knows what that instant galvanic shock feels like. Removing these dissimilar metal sources and replacing them with energy-neutral materials like high-quality ceramics or zirconia restores energetic balance and may improve comfort, vitality, and overall well-being.
At Blodgett Dental Care, our protocol ensures that metal removal is done safely, with minimal biological and energetic disturbance, followed by restorations in biocompatible, metal-free materials so you can enjoy both oral health and peace of mind.
Advanced Technologies
3D Cone-Beam CT X-rays
For more than a century, dentists have relied on dental X-rays which present information in only two dimensions. Unless you are fully trained on how to read an X-ray they are nearly impossible to understand. They are also difficult, even for trained individuals, because there are significant challenges to interpreting 3D data on a 2D image. Thankfully, for more than 15 years, a dental imaging system called “3D Cone-Beam Computed Tomography” (3D CBCT) has been available.
Blodgett Dental Care was one of the first dental practices in the Pacific Northwest to invest in 3D CBCT technology. 3D radiology is more efficient and effective than 2D radiology. Patients find it much easier to understand their own health issues because they can see their anatomical issues in three dimensions. Additionally, our 3D CBCT system fully integrates with our other digital technologies. This allows us to digitally plan implant placements, surgical guide systems, implant-supported restorations, and more. This is another example of how Blodgett Dental Care uses advanced technology to achieve the highest standard of patient care.
Dental Lasers
Lasers have become an integral part of our lives. What you may not know is that lasers have played a role in dentistry for over 30 years! Blodgett Dental Care has invested in five different wavelengths of lasers which help us to accomplish numerous health-promoting tasks from photo-biomodulation (a.k.a. biostimulation and low-level laser therapy) to specific bacteria removal. These lasers also create an opportunity for “shot-free” dentistry! Using pulsed light, the tooth or gums being treated do not feel the same kind of stimulation that is caused by a drill or a tooth scraper. This results in incredibly comfortable care that often requires no anesthesia.
Step into the future of dentistry today at Blodgett Dental Care!
CEREC
Nobody wants to wait for their teeth to be fixed! For the majority of the 20th century, if you needed a crown, veneers or bridges, you would be waiting for 2-4 weeks for the lab to get your teeth done. When they arrived, they never looked like real teeth. Thanks to the incredible advantages of CAD/CAM technology, we are able to make almost all of your dental restorations in a single visit! Find out just how easy and fast it can be to replace your failing crowns without black margins and toxic mercury fillings with life-like ceramic restorations using the CEREC system. Efficiency and health is a great combination.
Ozone
At Blodgett Dental Care, we believe in using the least toxic and most effective substances to help ensure the greatest health for our patients. For these reasons, we choose to use ozone in our practice. Ozone is a super-charged set of 3 oxygen atoms which is created in a gas form. It is used by hundreds of municipalities for sterilizing their water supplies. Similarly, we add it to the distilled water in our dental chairs so no chemicals are used in the cleaning process. We also use ozone gas over every tooth we restore to ensure there are no live bacteria being bonded underneath any restorations. Ozone has many other amazing applications in dentistry and we look forward to helping you enjoy its benefits.
Surgically Clean Air
You may not think about it too often, but the potential for poor air quality in a dental practice is very high. Think of the aerosols from ultrasonic cleaning tools, the splatter from drills and vapors coming off mercury fillings. Not to mention breath, coughs and sneezes coming from people’s mouths. To ensure an environment of optimal air quality, Blodgett Dental Care has invested in multiple “Surgically Clean Air” units: one in the reception area, one mid-office and one back by the doctor-treatment rooms where the heaviest of aerosols are created.
Additionally, every dental treatment room in our office uses an “IQAir” unit which helps draw air and vapor away from the patient’s face and through a multiple-level filtration system. The universal precautions used by all dental practices are helpful at reducing some exposure, but using hospital-grade air purification ensures the healthiest environment for everybody! This thoughtful approach to our dental environment is just one more example of why Blodgett Dental Care is so different from the traditional and conventional dental practice.
